New-York tribune., 1887-05-15
Smith hsd the brutal parent $500 before IL
Court Of Special Sessions.
THOUSANDS OF HAPPY CHILDREN.
GAY MAY PARTIES IN THE PARK.
TAXING POSSESSION OF TIE GREEN LAwNs-KINes

TAXING POSSESSION OF THE GREEN LAwNs-KINGS
AND QUEENS WITH RoMPISG SUBJECTS.
May parties swarmed into Central Park yesterday
through all the entrances The lawns that bad been
set aside for them dotted with dandelions as
though handus of bright yellow gold pieces had
been showered on the green. But the children were
as numerous as the dandelions All restrictions had
been removed for the day. The signs to Keep oil
the Grass" had been packed away, and toward night
all the dandeons had disappeared and the parties as
they left the Park returning home wore dandeons in
their buttOnholes and in their hair, and carried
punches OF dandeions In their hands. The day was
perfect the children. In the morning the air
was crisp, but the out strongly by o'clock.
taking away the chill in the atmosphere. The llacs
aud wisterias bursting into bloom all over the
Park, filling the air with their fragrance. and the
towering almond gowed with brancy that was
only rvaea by the bright coors in the dresses OF the
May Queens OF the day.
The May parties have only within few years come
to be among the customs of the city. They are re-
strcted Lar gey to the Saturdays in MAY and early in
June. when the Park is freshest and brightest. and
special provision is made for them by the direction OF
the Park Commissioners. When a party wishes to
have a picnic on the lawns on these days an appca-
ton made TO the secretary OF the Park Board TO.
permit; the number each party is designated and
the permit IL sent to the superintendent, who registers
IL, designating the spot to which each party is
assigned and returns the permit to the applicant No
limit Is placed the numbers In the parties, and they
vary from q or ten to two hundred. Some OF
these private schools or Sunday schools organized
to enjoy the day. Glasses in the public schools with
their teachers often make tho same arrangement.
Usually they are parties OF friends from different
neighborhoods. The boys and girls are generally
pretty evenly divided and the ages not confined to
children. Every party OF twenty-five means as many
more, mothers grandmOthers, sisters and cousins
The May pole Is carried In front of the p Irty By the
May Queen girl wi has been chosen Tor the place.
and sometimes a May King walks at her side Inc
MAY King is n New-York Innovation. The Queen IS
dressed in light airy garments, and her escort IRE
Quently Zouave costume both nave gilueu
bands on their heads The party marches two abreast
those Immediately behind carrying the briEhtcoored
ribbons that form kind OF canopy over tue Queen
Arriving in tho grounds q Park pol ceman directs
them to the place indicated by the permit I6e party
then takes possession attaches the permit to the near
tree and tor the time they are owners OF tue place
and the police prevent all disturbers from ntruding
on them After the ceremony OF forming ring and
singing and dancing around the Mag pole, the Queen
and King officially ned and the subjects thch
dissolve all formality and romp and roll over Inc
lawn. indulging IN all games that can bo suggested
The next most important ceremony IA the dinner a
special guard among the 0oi is Always as.ighu 70
take turns in carrying the baskets Frequently these
| are clothes baskets packed TO the very top with
sandwiches, cskes. pies and truL laOle CLOTHS are
spread over the grass and without the iornality oil
plates or knives and forks eacn member OF the MY
is assigned his place and by the time dinner IL ready
all are prepared with an appetite that needs no
prompting. The Park authorities place barrels oil
cold spring water az short intervals 10 supply 'ho
parties. and about luncheon time Ice cream wagons
are permitted to snter the Park and move along the
pathways where they find customers without number
The number OF Ma, parties yesterday. Supeuntend-
Parsons thought the largest tba has ever been
on the grounds on any one day. About 1000 perm u
were Issued and II was estimated that fully lo'ooo
children and their friends were scattered over the
Park in the ball ground the cast green peacock lawn
Cherry HILL Cedar Hill ,he North Meadow aud the
Ramble. They came IRON all portion. OF ibe CITY,
Many pale, thin faces from the lower paftr oil
the town aud were brought up by teachers; Other
parties were from weathior families nearer the PARK
The North Meadow was largely occupied by Harlem
children, aud number from that part OF tue city
vent to Mt Morris Park. The peacOcks on Peacock
Lawn took flight into the allest trees, Frightening
the scene with their gay plumaSe. aud looked down
tho table cO'hs susp oiousy the robins cairped
from the copper beaches In the Rsmblo and were
tempted with choice 'rumbs; Park policeman
looked on cynically and remarked There will DO
barrels OF paper and refuse to clean up here tomorrow
morning.